Method and apparatus for hat sizing



April 6, 1937. R, K. REYNOLDS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HAT SIZING s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 8, 1934 INVENTOR Ral h K136 Holds BY 7 bail? M ATTORNEYS April 6, 1937.

R. K. REYNOLDS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HAT SIZING Filed June 8, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Jada v11 1r. fieynqlds BY g 7 ATTORNEYS April 6, 193 7.

METHOD AND APPARATUSFOR HA'IYSIZ ING R. K. s moms- 2, 3

Filed .June 8, 1934 :s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTCR gaiph K. Reynolds ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 6, 1937 UNITED STATES PATEN E QiFFlQE METHOD AND AEPARA'EUS FOR HAT SIZING Application June 8, 1934, Serial No. 729,595

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of using high speed multi-roller sizing machines and to apparatus for use in conjunction therewith.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a method of using high speed multi-roller sizing machines which is practical and highly successful in operation. Another object is to provide a method of the above character which is free from complex steps and which is effective in producing a sized hat of high quality. Another object is to provide a method of the above character which will greatly increase the individual efficiency of each high speed multi-roller sizing machine used. Another object is to provide a 1 method of the above character which will greatly which will be effective in reducing the amount of labor necessary to practice the above-mentioned method. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations or" elements, arrangements of parts and in the several steps and relation and order of each of the same to one or more of the others, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown one or more of the various possible embodiments of my invention,

Figure l is a top plan view, diagrammatic in character, showing an apparatus which may be used to practice my novel method;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a side elevation of certain other apparatus which may be used in the practice of my method;

Figure 5 is a top plan View, diagrammatic in character, showing the position occupied by a plurality of bats as they pass through the first machine during the practice of my method;

Figure 6 is diagrammatic View of the bats shown in Figure 5 in one position which they may occupy while passing through certain conveying apparatus to be described hereinafter;

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the bats shown in Figure 5 in a position they may occupy as they return through the second machine during the practice. of my method;

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of a plurality of bats occupying one position in which they may pass through the machines;

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic view of a plurality of bats occupying another position which they may take while passing through the machines; and

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view of a plurality of bats in still another position which they may take while passing through the machines.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawmgs.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of certain features of this invention, it might here be pointed out that manufacturers of hats or the like have experienced considerable difficulty in obtaining a maximum of efficiency from sizing machines such as, for example, that disclosed in my United States Patent No. 1,984,701, machines of this general character being hereinafter referred to as high speed multi-roller sizing machines. When two of these high speed multiroller sizing machines are placed in series so that the discharge end of one machine is immediately adjacent the entrance of the other machine and a plurality of bats are fed through the two machines, the amount of work accomplished on the bats may be termed X quantity. It has been found that when two of the old type slower machines are placed in the same relationship and bats are fed therethrough, they also accomplish X quantity of work on the bats. Accordingly two of the high speed multi-roller sizing machines, each individually far superior in efficiency to the old type of sizing machine, when working in pairs placed in series, accomplish substantially no more work on the bats than pairs of the old type of sizing machines.

I have discovered that the old type of machines when operating in this manner each does approximately 50% of X quantity. For purposes of illustration only, other percentages will be mentioned hereinafter. However, it is to be understood that these percentages are merely arbitrarily chosen and should not be accepted as definite criteria. When, however, the high speed multi-roller sizing machines are operating in the above-described manner, the first machine does approximately of X quantity leaving a mere 15% of X quantity to be accomplished by the second machine. Consequently the second high speed multi-roller sizing machine, when operating in this manner, is accomplishing 35% less work than the second old type sizing machine even though it is admittedly far superior to the old machine in operation and in efiiciency.

One of the various objects of this invention is to provide a method and apparatusfor overcoming the above-mentioned difficulties as Well as many others.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is diagrammatically shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a pair of high speed multi-roller sizing machines l6 and H placed in parallel relationship and substantially side by side. The discharge end Ilia of machine H3 is adjacent the entrance I lb of machine ii while the entrance Ifib of machine id is adjacent the discharge end Ha of machine ll. Consequently the directions of feed of machines ii and ii are substantially opposite to each other. If, therefore, bats are fed through machine iii they may be removed from the discharge end ifia thereof, placed in machine ii, to be transported while they are being sized to a point not far distant from their original position before their entrance into machine l6.

Connecting the discharge end lfla of machine it] and the entrance lib of machine H is a conveying apparatus generally indicated at l2. Situated immediately adjacent the discharge end lila of machine If! is a pair of rolls l3 and id. Spaced from rolls l3 and i4 and at an angle thereto, as best shown in Figures 1 and 3, are rolls l5, l6 and H, while a plurality of rolls l8, I9 and 2d are spaced from rolls l5, l6 and i1 and in plane substantially parallel thereto (Figures 1 and 3). Spaced from rolls l8, l9 and 23 is a pair of rolls 2! and 22, the axes of which are substantially parallel to the axes of rolls i3 and I l, rolls '2! and 22 being in registry with machine H but spaced from the entrance lib thereof.

Stretched about rolls M, [6, l9 and 22 is a plurality of endless tapes generally indicated at 23. Tapes 23 are substantially spaced from each other, as best shown in Figure 3, and are held adjacent rolls l6 and I9 (Figure 3) by rolls H and 26 having their axes substantially parallel thereto. A plurality of endless tapes generally indicated at 24 is stretched about rolls l3, l5, l8 and 2! in a manner substantially similar to tapes 23. Tapes 23 and 2d are preferably, although not necessarily, in substantial alignment. Also, the tapes may be of any suitable material preferably having a friction creating surface capable of carrying groups of bats in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter.

Several of the rolls upon which tapes 23 and 26 are mounted are driven in any suitable manner and in directions suitable for moving the inner sides 23a and 24a of the tapes in the same direction, the outer sides 23?) and 24b of the tapes running in directions substantially opposite thereto. Thus rolls i6 and i9 move in a counter-clockwise direction and rolls l5 and i8 move in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 1, while roll 2i moves in a counter-clockwise direction and roll 22 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 2. As best shown at the left-hand portion of Figure 3, roll 13 moves in a clockwise direction and roll [4 in a counterclockwise direction. Accordingly the inner sides 23a and 24a of tapes 23 and 25, being closely adjacent to each other, are capable of holding and transporting groups of bats from machine it to machine H, as will be more fully described hereinafter.

Due to the particular position occupied by rolls i5, is, ii, i3, i9 and 2d, the tapes in their course from rolls l3 and M to rolls 2i and 22 reverse their position. That is to say, the tapes in ifect turn upside down so that the top surface of the tapes upon leaving the vicinity of rolls I3 and I4 becomes the bottom surface thereof at a point in the vicinity of rolls 2! and 22. Accordingly bats which are fed between sides 23a and Ma of the tapes are held firmly in position therebetween and conveyed to rolls 2! and 22 while turning upside down along with the tapes.

Turning now to Figure 2, I prefer to provide a pair of rolls 2% and 25 immediately adjacent the entrance Nb of machine it and having their axes spaced respectively thereabove and therebelow. Stretched about a roll 2'! and roll 26 is a continuous belt member 25. The plane passing through the axes of rolls 2% and 21' is spaced substantially below roll 22 (Figure 3). A continuous belt member 29 is stretched about roll 25 and a roll 30 above belt 28, roll 38 being substantially spaced to the right of roll 2! as viewed in Figure 2. Suitable means are provided for imparting rotation to rolls 25, 26, 21 and 30,-the rotation of rolls 25 and-33 being counter-clockwise, while the rotation of rolls 2i and 26 is clockwise. Furthermore, the speed of rotation of these rolls is substantially similar to the rolls upon which tapes 23 and 24 are mounted, thus to convey bats in a manner to be described more fully hereinafter at an equal rate of speed. Also I prefer to provide a pair of rolls SI and 32 having their axes substantially in alignment with the axes of rolls 2! and 22 so that the bats passing from tapes 23 and 25 may pass directly between rolls 3i and 32. I further provide means for rotating rolls 3i and 32 at a speed in excess of the speed at which tapes 23, 24, and belts 28 and 29 are maintained.

For purposes to be described more fully hereinafter, it.is highly desirable to turn the bats leaving machine Iii upside down before, their entrance into machine ii. Furthermore, to practice my unique method most eificiently, 1 preferto run bats through machines i6 and H in a certain order of arrangement to be more fully described hereinafter. For purposes of illustration at this point I will assume that the bats are being put through the machines in tip on brim relationship, this being one of the positions occupied by the bats as they pass through the machines.

Turning to Figure 8, there is shown a plurality of bats arranged in this tip on brim relationship. The tips T of each but rest upon the brim portions B of the next succeeding bat. In other words, the bats are arranged in shingled relationship, the tip portions thereof being the overlapping part of. each bat. I

Turning back now to Figural, I have assumed for purposes of illustration that bats are being put through the machines id and ii in tip on brim relationship. To obtain a maximum amount of efiiciency from the machines, I find it desirable to put the bats therethrough in two lines as clearly shown in Figure 1. As the bats pass through machine ie, sides U thereof may be considered the upper sides. When the bats in machine i9 are discharged therefrom they immediately enter conveying apparatus l2, occupying a position between sides 23a and 24a of tapes 23 and 24. In this position they are carried by the tapes to rolls 3| and 32 (Figure 2). A8 noted above, during their progress with tapes 23 and 2 2, they turn upside down so that the sides U thereof now become the bottom sides.

However, as best shown in Figures 2 and 6, the

reversal of the lines of bats changes their 10 shingled relationship so that the brim portions thereof rest upon the tip portions. In this condition they are unsuited for their entrance into machine ll.

As noted hereinabove, rolls 3! and 32 rotate at a greater rate of speed than the rolls 2: and 22 supporting tapes 23 and 24. Consequently when each individual bat passes between rolls 3i and 32, the speed of travel thereof is increased so that it is in effect shot ahead to finally drop upon the exposed surface of belt 28 where it travels toward machine H between the inner sides 28a and 29a of belts 28 and 29 toward the entrance of machine ll. However, the increased speed imparted to each individual bat by rolls 3! and 32 is sufiicient to move the tip portion of each bat up upon the brim portion of the last succeeding bat on the belt 28 when the bats come to rest thereupon. Consequently the bats are again rearranged in the tip on brim relation- 30 ship shown in Figure 8.

The above-described relationship of. the bats as they pass through machine Ill, conveying apparatus l2, and machine it is graphically illustrated in Figures 5, 6 and 7. In Figure 5 a plurality of bats is shown, the tip portions 'I thereof resting upon the brim portions .3. This is one position the bats may occupy as they pass through machine H]. In Figure 6, the bats are shown as they appear in the conveying apparatus after being turned upside down as described above. The tip portions T of the bats now rest under the brim portions B thereof. In Figure 7 the bats are shown in rearranged relationship passing back through machine H. Before their entrance into this machine, the rolls 3! and 32 have forced each individual bat ahead a sufficient amount to place the tip portion T thereof upon the brim portion of the next succeeding bat.

In order to effectively size all portionsof the bats, I find it highly desirable to put the bats through machines l0 and H in several different positions besides the tip on brim relationship hereinabove described. For example, after the bats are passed through the machines in tip on brim relationship, I may pass the bats through the machines in a relationship such as that shown in Figure 9. Here the side tips S of the bats rest upon each other and the longitudinal axes of the bats (the axes passing through points a and b) 50 are substantially parallel to the axes of the rollers of the machines. When passing through in this relationship, the front side tip S of each bat is exposed. That is to say, the bats pass through the machine in a direction similar to an upward 1;, direction as viewed in Figure 9.

After the bats have passed through the machines in the relationship shown in Figure 9, they may be passed through the machines in the relationship shown in Figure 10 with their side 7 tips S resting on the body portion of the next succeeding bat and their longitudinal axes at acute angles to the axes of the rolls of the machines. When the bats pass through the machines in the relationships shown in Figures 9 and 10, they are of course turned upside down by conveying apparatus l2 in a manner substantially similar to that described above and rearranged in their original relationship by the rolls 3| and 32 (Figure 2) before entering machine ll. It is to be understood that the bats may pass through the machines in any of the above-described relationships as many times as may be found desirable in order to bring them down to the desired size.

I have discovered that by employing this method, each highspeed multi-roller sizing machine operates at a maximum of efficiency, this being especially true of the second machine H through which the bats pass. Thus, again using percentages arbitrarily chosen, machine It does of X quantity of work and machine Ii does 85% of X quantity of work, making a total for the two machines of of X quan-' tity. Thus the two machines do 70% more work by employing my novel method than has been previously possible when other methods of using the machines have been employed.

I fully realize that other apparatus might be utilized: to advantage in the practice of my method. For example, in Figure 4 I have shown two high speed multi-roller sizing machines 33 and 3 arranged in parallel and one above the other, the discharge end 33a of machine 33 being adjacent the entrance 34b of machine 34. Immediately adjacent and spaced slightly below the discharge end of machine 33 I provide a roll 35 having a continuous belt member 36 stretched thereabout and about a roll 3?. A roll 38 is positioned preferably immediately above r011 35 and a drum member 40 is spaced outwardly from roll 3i having its axis spaced substantially therebelow. Below drum 40 I provide a roll 4|. Stretched about roll 4!, drum ill and roll 38 is a plurality of spaced tapes generally indicated at 42 substantially similar in construction and position to tapes 23 and 24 (Figure 1). Any suitable means is provided for imparting counter-clockwise rotation to drum 40 and clockwise rotation to rolls 38 and M so that tapes 42 move in a left-hand direction, as viewed in Figure 4, above the drum, and in a right-hand direction below the drum. I also prefer to impart counter-clockwise rotation to rolls 35 and 31 in any desirable manner so that the inner side 36a of belt 36 moves in a left-hand direction as viewed in Figure l.

Accordingly bats making their exit from machine 33 are transported by tapes Q2 and belt 3% to drum 40 and thence by the drum and the tapes to a point immediately adjacent roll ll, the bats having been reversed or turned upside down during their travel to this point.

Immediately adjacent the entrance 34b of machine M and spaced slightly therebelow, I provide a roll 43 having an endless belt member Ml stretched thereabout and about a roll 45 spaced below and preferably slightly in front of roli ll. Above belt member 44 is positioned a pair of rolls i5 and 41 having a continuous belt 55 stretched thereabout; roll 46 is spaced inwardly from roll 45 thus to leave a section of belt member 46 exposed immediately below and in front of roll ll. I prefer to provide means for imparting counter-clockwise rotation to rolls 46 and 4'! and clockwise rotation to rolls 43 and '35.

Preferably immediately above roll 55 I provide a pair of rolls 48 and 49, and means for rotating roll 4% in a clockwise direction and roll 48 in a counter-clockwise direction. The axis of roll 49 is in substantial alignment with the axis of roll ll, and the speed of rotation of rolls E8 and 39 is in excess of the rate of speed of roll 41, drum 40 and roll 38. Preferably belt members 44, 50 and 36, and tapes 42 travel at substantially the same rate of speed, this speed being suflicient o to move all of the bats away from machine 33 as they make their exit therefrom.

Accordingly bats arriving at a point adjacent roll 4|, pass through rolls 48 and 49, after hav ing been turned upside down as hereinbefore described, and are shot ahead to fall upon the exposed surface of belt member 44. This additional speed imparted to the bats acts in a manner substantially similar to that described above with respect to rolls 3! and 32 (Figure 2) thus serving to rearrange the bats in, for example, tip on brim relationship or side tip on side relationship, all according to what position the bats happen to occupy as they pass through the two machines. The belt members 44 and 50 then convey the rearranged and reversed bats to the entrance of machine 34 which they pass through to complete one cycle of sizing. This apparatus has certain advantages and under certain conditions will be found superior to'the apparatus shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 for the practice of my method.

It will thus be seen that I have provided a thoroughly practical and efficient method for obtaining a maximum of efiiciency and a reliable operation from high speed muIti-roller sizing machines and consequently have provided a new method of sizing bats which is much more rapid and well adapted to producea superior result in sizing.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the mechanical features of the above invention and as the art herein described might be varied in various parts, all without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described,

in combination, a pair of multi-roller sizing machines arranged side by side and substantially parallel to each other, the directions of flow in said machines being opposite to each other,

and means for removing bats from the discharge end of one machine and placing them in the other machine, said means including parts adapted to turn said bats over and arrange them in tip on brim relationship.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of high speed multi-roller sizing machines arranged side by side and substantially parallel to each other, the directions of flow in said machines being opposite to each other, tape conveying apparatus adjacent the end of one machine, and a conveyor disposed between the end of said apparatus and the mouth of the other machine whereby said bats are conveyed from the discharge end of one machine, turned over, .and dropped upon said conveyor.

3. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of high speed multi-roller sizing machines arranged side by side and substantially parallel to each other, the directions of flow in said machines being opposite to each other, means adapted to remove bats from one machine and place them in the other machine after turning them upside down, a plurality of rollers, a plurality of conveying tapes mounted upon said rollers and so positioned as to remove bats from the discharge end of one machine, turn them over, and discharge them at a point spaced from the entrance of said other machine, a conveyor disposed between the discharge end of said tapes and the entrance of said other machine, the plane of said conveyor being below the plane of said tapes, a pair of rotary members immediately adjacent the discharge end of said tapes, and means for rotating said rotary members at a. greater rate of speed than said tapes.

4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of high speed multi-roller sizing machines arranged one above the other and substantially parallel to each other, the directions of flow being substantially opposite to each other, and conveying apparatus located adjacent the discharge end of the upper machine and adapted to turn said bats over, said apparatus including parts adapted to rearrange said bats in tip on brim relationship and feed them into the entrance of the lower machine.

5. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of high speed multi-roller sizing machines arranged in parallel. relationship, the work discharge end of one machine being adjacent the work entrance end of the other machine, said machines being adapted to size bats passing therethrough, a conveyor apparatus connecting said exit and entrance ends including means for turning said bats over as they are conveyed from one machine to the other, and means operatively associated with said conveyor and one of said machines for arranging said bats in shingled relationship before their entry into said entrance end of the second machine.

6. The herein described artwhich consists in arranging a number of bats in tip on brim relationship in one locality, feeding the arranged bats in one direction and kneading them as they move, reciprocating the lower flap of each bat in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the bats during the kneading thereof, transferring the bats to another locality and turning them as they are transferred, rearranging the bats in tip on brim relationship, feeding the bats in one direction and kneading them as they move, and reciprocating the lower flap of each bat in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the bats during the kneading thereof.

'7. The herein described art which consists in arranging a number of bats in shingled relation ship in one locality, feeding said bats in one direction, kneading them as they move, effecting relative movement between the upper and lower flaps of the bats as they are kneaded, transferring the bats to another locality and turning them as they are transferred, rearranging the bats in shingled relationship, feeding the bats in the opposite direction and kneading them as they move, and effecting relative movement between the upper and lower flaps of the bats as they are kneaded.

8. The herein described art which consists in arranging a number of bats in shingled relationship in one locality, moving said bats in one direction along an undulating path, reciprocating one of the flaps of each bat in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the bats during the movement thereof, transferring the bats to another locality and turning them as they are transferred, rearranging the bats in shingled relationship, moving the bats in another direction along an undulating path; and reciprocating one of the flaps of each bat in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the bats during the movement thereof.

9. The herein described art which consists in arranging a number of bats in shingled relationship in one locality, moving said bats in one direction along an undulating path, reciprocating one of the flaps of each bat in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the bats during the movement thereof, removing the bats from said. undulating path, transferring the bats to another locality and turning them as they are transferred, separating the bats from said shingled relationship, rearranging the bats in shingled relationship, moving the bats in another direction along an undulating path, and reciprocating one of the flaps of each bat in a direction transverse to the path of movement of the bats during the movement thereof.

10. The herein described art which consists in arranging a number of bats in shingled relationship in one locality, moving said bats in one direc tion and kneading them as they move, effecting relative movement between the upper and lower flaps of the bats as they are kneaded, transferring the bats to another locality and turning them as they are transferred, rearranging the bats in shingled relationship, moving the bats in a direction opposite to but parallel with said first-mentioned direction and kneading them as they move, and efiecting relative movement between the up-- per and lower flaps of each bat as the bats are kneaded.

11. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a pair of sizing machines so arranged and positioned that the work discharge end of one machine is adjacent the work entrance end. of the other machine, a conveyor apparatus connecting said exit and entrance ends, including means for turning bats over as they are conveyed from one machine to the other, and means operatively associated with said conveyor for arranging said bats in shingled relationship before their entry into said entrance end of the second machine.

RALPH K. REYNOLDS. 

